Runners Lesson From Humming Bird Tattoo Picture courtesy of Larissa

Runners lesson from hummingbird is what I have in mind after reading a friends feed online;

“I got my first tattoo yesterday, the hummingbird symbolizes perseverance & tirelessness and energy…”

Let’s see why LORA B from Dailymile(dot)com did it. And we’ll share a little research, we got ours from wikipedia, to validate her arguments here;

Hummingbirds are among the smallest of birds. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12–80 times per second (depending on the species). They are also the only group of birds able to fly backwards. They can fly at speeds exceeding 31 miles per hour.

Runners Lesson From Humming Bird #1 – Quality Diet

OK, let’s see some runners lesson from hummingbird.

Hummingbirds drink nectar, a sweet liquid inside certain flowers. Like bees;

• they are able to assess the amount of sugar in the nectar they eat
• they reject flower types that produce nectar that is less than 10% sugar
• and prefer those whose sugar content is stronger.

Nectar is a poor source of nutrients, so hummingbirds meet their needs for protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. by preying on insects and spiders.

Runners Lesson From Humming Bird #2 – Persevere or Die

With the exception of insects, hummingbirds while in flight have the highest metabolism of all animals, a necessity in order to support the rapid beating of their wings. Their heart rate can reach as high as 1,260 beats per minute. They also consume more than their own weight in nectar each day, and to do so they must visit hundreds of flowers daily. Hummingbirds are continuously hours away from starving to death, and are able to store just enough energy to survive overnight.

That’s one good runners lesson from hummingbird.

Runners Lesson From Humming Bird #3 – Store Up Energy

Studies of hummingbirds’ metabolisms are highly relevant to the question of how a migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbird can cross 800 km (500 mi) of the Gulf of Mexico on a nonstop flight. This hummingbird, like other birds preparing to migrate, stores up fat to serve as fuel, thereby augmenting its weight by as much as 100 percent and hence increasing the bird’s potential flying time.

Runners Lesson From Humming Bird #4 – Myth or NOT

Runners lesson from hummingbird or not. This is good to know (I think…)

Aztecs wore hummingbird talismans, the talismans being representations as well as actual hummingbird fetishes formed from parts of real hummingbirds: emblematic for their vigor, energy, and propensity to do work along with their sharp beaks that mimic instruments of weaponry, bloodletting, penetration, and intimacy. Hummingbird talismans were prized as drawing sexual potency, energy, vigor, and skill at arms and warfare to the wearer.

I don’t’ know if Lora knows all these but she hit a few target…

What about you, what’s your running tattoo?

Anyways, hopefully you will pick some runners lesson from hummingbird.

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“NO, you don’t have to take pain medication right away”, he mentioned. Most often than not a simple technique of putting a firm pillow behind your back when sitting for a long period of time is all that’s needed. Lumbar back support to correct proper posture is a very simple and effective way to fix the problem.

That said, are runners affected by improper posture or running technique as well?

I asked him and he said posture is everything. Our spine needs to function the way it was meant to be, otherwise lower and upper back pain is bound to happen…

Anyway, I found an article that talks about running and back pain and offers some simple steps to end the misery. Here’s a few words from the article;

“If you experience back pain whilst running or following a run, check out the common causes below.

• Worn or inappropriate running shoes
• Trying to hold yourself upright
• Pushing forward to run
• Too much bounce in your stride

If your running shoes are worn out or not suitable for you…READ MORE

Keep on running folks. Enjoy it and take care of your back in the process.

]]> http://www.5kgeek.com/running-and-backpain-is-it-your-posture/feed/ 0 http://www.5kgeek.com/going-commando-do-you-run-without-underwear/ http://www.5kgeek.com/going-commando-do-you-run-without-underwear/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:13:33 +0000 5kgeek http://www.5kgeek.com/?p=1958 “Going Commando” – do you run without underwear?

We hear the opinions of runners from around the world as they battle this question – are you “air cooled” like an old V-dub?

OK folks…I found this article with a podcast that talks about (x-rated) running.

I find it interesting and wanted to share them with you..before you go out running …Read full article here,

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We all know that nature have ways of teaching us lessons…

Take for example the V-formation flights from geese. These birds are known to travel far distances in this particular formation.

So why do they fly this way? There has been several studies by experts on this subject.

” a study done sometime back also shed some light on this particular V-formation. This study discovered that birds flying in V-format had lower heart rate than birds flying alone. Why? The aerodynamic V shape formation reduces the air drag (air resistance) that each bird experiences when in flight in comparison to a bird flying solo. These allows them to cover longer distances (thousands of miles) with much less effort. for example, geese can achieve a greater distance…”READ FULL ARTICLE

Runners Lesson from Geese – TEAMWORK

It takes teamwork to get a group in V-formation and specially for a long distance of flight. There must be some kind of communication that goes on before, during and after.

Before: Some one has to lead and all must agree. Who’s staying in front and how long plus, how is the rotation going to be.
During: There’s got to be some challenges along the way that requires changes. Flight conditions can change and the birds can feel fatigue at anytime requiring quick minute adjustments.
After: I’m going to make this up. A driver analytical bird will get feeds or history from the flight as to what may have gone right and gone wrong and make it better the next flight. Then, relays the message to others so that they will all benefit from it (OK, how did i do?)…

Alright,with teamwork in place efficiency is achieved. The V-formation makes them victorious in flight conquering the distance together.

Runners Lesson from Geese – For Real

To runners this is best explained in group running. Try following a group of runners doing speed work. Draft behind the pack and you will feel the pull. Speeds that you can’t do by yourself is achieved when there is a lead pack. It may not be a perfect V-formation but it does have the same effect. The run or speed work is so much more efficient…

When running in races, try drafting behind runners every time you have a chance. Be polite though and let them know you’ll be following behind (if its OK) and thank them as they separate from you.

Believe me, in long distance running this technique (drafting) can be the key on running your personal best. I have done it when I broke my personal best with just one (1) second. That’s right a mere one second…

Take the V-formation, teamwork and efficiency as runners lesson from geese. Go ahead and try it next time.

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Let’s find something we love or enjoy doing to get our health better this year 2012…

For me, running is one of them. I’ve been slacking myself the past few months on my runs but will press on to do better. Thanks to reminders like the quotation from above…

Happy New Year to All.

Well, the Holidays is something to look forward to. Friends and family get together are plenty. There’s plenty of food, food and food.

I love to eat. Not really worried about gaining a few pounds this time of the year.

As a runner. All I have to do is increase my mileage and do a little extra workout…

It always works for me.

Plus, I get to work my wood fired oven. You see, I built a brick oven years back and it still provides us good food specially this time. Guests actually expects pizza and other favorites to get cooked in this oven. Roast turkey and BBQ ribs has made it in this oven.

I remember filling the oven with 24 loaf pan and baking banana bread in one firing. This was a perfect specialty Christmas gift for that year. It was a hit. Everybody wants one.

Now you know why is this runner all fired-up!

I’d like to share the short video above. We did pizza and focaccia. The very next day we have Korean BBQ and corn in the wood-fired oven done.

Next year when someone ask “why is this runner all fired up?”, you know it’s the food, food and food.

What does these all mean or have to do with running?

It’s all about MOTIVATION. If you love what you do;

• A lot of good things can happen. You do and achieve more
• Time goes fast when your having fun
• You enjoy every moment or activity and things are (more often than not) done right
• Challenges are overcome, solutions seems to be readily available
• You feel good about what you do, and the results are in your favor
• and a lot more…

There you go. Love what you do.

If it is running, keep on lacing up and find your motivation and keep doing it. Associate with like minded people. These can be your friends, family members or in these day and age you can go online and join running social clubs…

I hang around positive and highly motivated runners at Dailymile.

Cooking or baking may not be your cup of tea but for me at least this time of the year… why is this runner all fired-up? Its the FOOD…

The best of the New Year to all.

Here’s a video that pretty much defines or summarizes what a runner is.

Very entertaining and I can bet my 10 cents you can relate to it in some ways…

Watch it below….

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However, if anyone were to realize what a rooster does daily, there maybe something that will surprise many runners, myself included.

I was coming home one morning and there it was, a rooster right in my front gate. He’s just standing and not even intimidated by my presence at all. Usually, chicken will run or move away in a hurry…this little thing  does not budge!

I have seen this bird from one of my running routes in the neighborhood. I’ve heard him crow many times and jump from where he and the hen stays at night ( I would assume) and start the day, as I pass by.

So what can runners learn from roosters?

I’d like to say - consistency. This bird starts the day early and for some reason it crows almost at the same time early in the morning. It seems like it has a built in alarm that sounds of when it’s due, rain or shine! This is a routine for roosters. It’ll crow and make the sound. It’s like doing an exercise of the lungs. Plus, if you’ve seen them do it you’ll notice they do flap there wings a few times (looks like a warm-up)…

Now, if you’re a runner and trying to reach a certain goal or finish time for a 5k, a 10k or even a marathon, training daily and consistently – will prove to be a great asset. And yes, even when the running conditions are not that great outside. Consistency and perseverance are important.

So the question, “What can runners learn from roosters?” can be answered with consistency. Lets put it in it’s simplest perspective like;

• taking your vitamins daily
• warm up and cool down before any run or exercise activity
• eat or drink recovery nutrition
• be safe while out and about
• and more…

There’s always something to discover during a runners daily run. The views, the sounds, the smell and things on the way provide opportunities for motivation to keep (me) going.

Plus, I just love seeing nature and farm animals around specially at break of dawn or early morning, in the big city.

Who would have thought this runner actually learned something from a lose rooster from the neighborhood?

What can runners learn from roosters…besides consistency?

Maybe it’s time to have a harder look at this bird (or others) next time you lace up and put on some miles.

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How many times was the question asked by many? Starting a running regimen or plan takes planning. It takes time from most peoples busy lifestyle. However, it is one necessary activity to consider for health and fitness.

We all need some kind of exercise to keep us moving in the right direction health wise. Walking, biking, going to the gym for workout, etc are choices that we have to make and make room for if we need to stay fit and healthy.

There is so much benefit to doing regular exercise but the challenge remain. Are you ready to run, walk, bike…?

I was in a Chinese food restaurant one evening and my spouse was ordering spinach?

That’s right – spinach. I have to ask her why. She said, ” it’s got plenty of  potassium”. And, she needs a lot to replenish her loss of potassium due to some medications she is taking for her high blood pressure issues.

I was surprised and very happy to know at the same time.

This is actually good. Most runners (if not all) knows that potassium is key to recovery specially after a long run. Potassium with magnesium helps reduce cramps.

I love this information. You see, one fruit reach in potassium is banana. Most runners I know eat lots of bananas. Go to races like 5k’s, 10k’s and marathons and you’ll find bananas everywhere. That shouldn’t be a surprise…

Yes, Spinach Is Good For Runners

Now, I know I have another source a potassium that I never knew before.

Spinach’s nutrition is amazing. The calcium content in spinach and other dark leafy greens strengthens bones.

The A and C vitamins in spinach plus the fiber, folic acid, magnesium and other nutrients help control cancer, especially colon, lung and breast cancers. Folate also lowers the blood levels of something called homocysteine, a protein that damages arteries. So spinach also helps protect against heart disease.

The flavonoids in spinach help protect against age related memory loss.

Spinach’s secret weapon, lutein, makes it one of the best foods in the world to prevent cataracts, as well as age related macular degeneration, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the elderly. Foods rich in lutein are also thought to help prevent cancer.

I don’t want to bore you with too much info on spinach but I think we have a winner.

Spinach is good for runners! Remember this whenever you’re in for a Chinese food next time.

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